Caol Ila 14 Year Old - Black Friday (Master of Malt) vs Ardlair 13 Year Old 2009 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 14 Year Old - Black Friday (Master of Malt)
Caol Ila
£50
Ardlair 13 Year Old 2009 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Ardmore
★ 5.00
£45
| Caol Ila 14 Year Old - Black Friday (Master of Malt) | Ardlair 13 Year Old 2009 Single Cask (Master of Malt) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Ardmore |
| Region | Islay | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 48% | 58.9% |
| Age | 14 yr | 13 yr |
| Price | £49.95 | £44.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 14 Year Old - Black Friday (Master of Malt)
Ardlair 13 Year Old 2009 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Caol Ila 14 Year Old - Black Friday (Master of Malt)
Ardlair 13 Year Old 2009 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Quick verdict
Ardlair 13 Year Old 2009 Single Cask (Master of Malt) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Ardlair 13 Year Old 2009 Single Cask (Master of Malt) is better value at £45 vs £50.
For beginners: Caol Ila 14 Year Old - Black Friday (Master of Malt) is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 14 Year Old - Black Friday (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Longer maturation (14 vs 13 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£49.95 vs £44.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Ardlair 13 Year Old 2009 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£44.95 vs £49.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (58.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 14 Year Old - Black Friday (Master of Malt) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Who should buy Ardlair?
Ardlair 13 Year Old 2009 Single Cask (Master of Malt) is for enthusiasts who appreciate cask-strength intensity. Best enjoyed with a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Not ideal for casual drinking or beginners.
Tasting notes
Only Caol Ila 14 Year Old - Black Friday (Master of Malt)
Only Ardlair 13 Year Old 2009 Single Cask (Master of Malt)